CD13/aminopeptidase N is a widely expressed ectoenzyme with multiple functions. As an enzyme, CD13 regulates activities of numerous cytokines by cleaving their N-terminals and is involved in Ag processing by trimming the peptides bound to MHC class II. Independent of its enzymatic activity, cell membrane CD13 functions by cross-linking–induced signal transduction, regulation of receptor recycling, enhancement of FcγR-mediated phagocytosis, and acting as a receptor for cytokines. Moreover, soluble CD13 has multiple proinflammatory roles mediated by binding to G-protein–coupled receptors. CD13 not only modulates development and activities of immune-related cells, but also regulates functions of inflammatory mediators. Therefore, CD13 is important in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory disorders. Inhibitors of CD13 have shown impressive anti-inflammatory effects, but none of them has yet been used for clinical therapy of human inflammatory diseases. We reevaluate CD13’s regulatory role in inflammation and suggest that CD13 could be a potential therapeutic target for inflammatory disorders.

中文翻译：

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CD13/氨肽酶 N 是炎症性疾病的潜在治疗靶点

CD13/氨基肽酶N是一种广泛表达的具有多种功能的胞外酶。作为一种酶，CD13 通过切割 N 末端来调节多种细胞因子的活性，并通过修剪与 MHC II 类结合的肽参与 Ag 加工。独立于其酶活性，细胞膜 CD13 通过交联诱导的信号转导、受体再循环的调节、FcγR 介导的吞噬作用的增强以及作为细胞因子的受体发挥作用。此外，可溶性 CD13 通过与 G 蛋白偶联受体结合而具有多种促炎作用。CD13 不仅调节免疫相关细胞的发育和活动，还调节炎症介质的功能。因此，CD13 在各种炎症性疾病的发病机制中很重要。CD13 抑制剂已显示出令人印象深刻的抗炎作用，但尚未用于人类炎症性疾病的临床治疗。我们重新评估了 CD13 在炎症中的调节作用，并建议 CD13 可能是炎症性疾病的潜在治疗靶点。